Now We'll Know if Caroline Kennedy Is Serious About Serving

Now that New York has a Senator to replace Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, there will be an election in less than two years for the Empire State's junior Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, to defend her Senate seat.

Personally I find the two-year time frame a very long 'temporary' and perhaps, a violation of the 17th Amendment that was created just for situations like this, but nevertheless two years it is.

There will be a Democratic Primary for that seat and it will be interesting to see if Caroline Kennedy enters that primary. Or if Andrew Cuomo or someone else of their stature does. Senator Gillibrand will have the power of the incumbency, albeit a short one, but she will still be a relatively new political figure both nationally and at home.

Should she decide to enter the fray, I would strongly suggest to Ms. Kennedy that she consider starting immediately, and consider leaving behind the truly crappy and I am sure expensive consultants that led her through the current debacle.

As the world of politics slowly but clearly and ultimately finally empowers the average American through the power of technology, Caroline Kennedy through a legacy world clunker into the middle of the mix. In her father's and grandfather's time, the power play of back room, I wish to be considered would have worked exceptionally well. Today, it was like driving up in a huge old Cadillac wearing a fur coat talking about a friend of yours who is a Negro.

It might also be a nice idea to actually do something for some fellow Democrats both nationally and in New York State. She is a substantial fundraising draw and could be immensely helpful to people raising money in New York and beyond. Holding some events this summer at her $50 million summer estate would be a nice touch. Voting in any special elections is not a bad idea either.

Ultimately, I think Caroline Kennedy will fade back into the background, unable to achieve a quick pass to the Senate, I doubt very much if she is willing to work through the primary process and earn her seat like the rest of us.

If I am wrong, I have no doubt that she will be New York's Senator and will win that election.

If I am right, well then so was Governor Paterson. Because a free ticket to the U.S. Senate should be given only to someone who is willing to earn it under a different circumstance, and I assure you, Senator Gillibrand is that sort of person. Congratulations to her.

Comments

[TeriMcCarthy]

I know that Carolyn McCarthy says she will run for that seat to take it from Gillibrand and if Ms. Kennedy-Sch (I can't spell that) is serious she will get her self together, raise some money and run for this seat. That is if she is serious.

[Lemeritus]

Caroline Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg. But you can forget about her married name since she has NEVER used it.

[WilliePilgrim]

Let's repeal the 17th amendment, and develope a national forum on why having both houses of congress selected by "direct election" is a bad idea. It is, and the framers of the constitution knew what they were doing when they determined that having both houses of the legislative arm being selected by direct vote was a bad idea. We don't select the legislative branch by direct vote and we all see that as a normal and natural thing.
I don't say we must go back to having the governor always select replacements; states have differing views on how to do this, but we should at least consider the idea of having half the seats in congress filled by lottery, thereby denying professional career politicians the perogative of having it all to themselves. Lottery? To fill those sought after seats? Why not? Could it be any worse and certainly it would alleviate the worst of the problems where our "leadership" thinks the little people never really know what's going on "inside".

[ESerafina42]

I think that what's going on right now is a PERFECT example of why governors SHOULDN'T have the sole power of selection. And I'm sure that the kind of lotteries you're thinking of (not including the entire population, I assume) can be fixed.

Incidentally, your first paragraph makes no sense. Congress IS the legislative branch. Are you talking about the judicial branch?

[DinkSinger]

Does anyone realize Ms. Gillibrand has been a staunch member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of Democrats in the House who vote with Republicans on economic and defense questions? When she gets to the Senate and votes with the Republicans to block President Obama's economic stimulus package from coming to the floor, some of us progressives may wish that Ms. Kennedy hadn't changed her mind.

[Miande]

Caroline Kennedy has been engaged in public service for years as a private citizen, not feeding at the public trough. And you are asking if SHE is serious? That question is better directed to professional politicians.

[ESerafina42]

Do you mean her couple-day-a-week "jobs" sitting on boards? Does she understand the 16-hour days she would have to work as a senator? And bully for her for staying home to raise her kids, but a lot of people don't have that luxury because they're not millionaires. However, they DO (unlike Princess Caroline) contribute money to causes they care about and make the time to VOTE.

[cloudminder]

on the one hand- I get your point-

I would like to see her in a high profile position

where she could deal with privacy rights for average citizens

on the other hand- I was really put off by your headline-

Caroline was serving from birth, she didn't get a choice

and she has paid a very high price for the service her father,mother, and uncles gave to the country.

Forget the camelot, american royalty BS comments --

just the simple facts make me feel that we owe her some respect and kindness

[Vige]

I agree with you. I had just turned 18 when her father was killed and I remember the news report that said the children and the nanny had been taken into protective custody and secured at non disclosed location. How frightening that must have been for those two adorable children. Then she looses her uncle in the same manner as her father.

With Patterson's selection he took something away from the citizens of NY and that is a direct line to the ear of POTUS. That something is called CLOUT.

[AsISaid]

Caroline Kennedy need not prove anything to me. She and her family have sacrificed enough in the name of public service to this country. I'd like to see President Obama offer her a position where her talents and good name would be the most fulfilling to both her and the country.

[Vige]

I agree wholeheartedly.

[darker]

What counts with Senator Gillibrand is how smart, clever and tactful she is.
Apparently, she is plenty on all. That's the path to real power.

[thewho77]

Caroline Kennedy can immediately start running for the vacant house seat that Gillibrand is leaving, can't she? Anyway, she can immediately begin raising the 20 million dollars that she will need to run for senate in 2010, if she's serious. If not, well then she was never really that in to you!!

[jcwtts1]

I disagree with your reading of the 17th amendment. If states want to pass laws specifically calling for state wide special elections instantly, than they should. Sans that there is a constitutional requirement for the executive to seat someone. Please remember that to run a state wide election costs millions of dollars. Since every two years there are state wide congressional races there is no need to have a multimillion dollar expenditure in between. Of course if a state passes that kind of law then they pass that kind of law. But all this hand ringing over a practice that was ratified by 2/3 of American people almost a hundred years ago seems off somehow. I find it aggravating.

J

[Ronnied]

How did Gillibrand earn it. Oh yes, her father was a lobbyist with strong republican connections which allowed her to raise a lot of money, to run against an alcoholic and an abuser. I see.

She is so rooted in her convictions that she is willing to turn on a dime to change her views.
She is a poor fit for our state.

She will not win reelection and will be primaried. She cannot carry New York City and downstate. So if you think this is great, you are being dillusional. We New Yorkers are outraged, unless you come from upstate, which does not reflect the rest of the state. My phone has been ringing off the hook since yesterday. People have told me if Paterson appointed her, he is toast and that they will work hard to defeat her.

[DinkSinger]

To be strict about reading the 17th Amendment, if a state wants to have an immediate special election they do not need any laws. That is the default provision of the amendment, which uses the same language as the original Article I Section 2 concerning vacant House seats. The amendment goes on allow state legislatures to pass laws empowering the Governor to make temporary appointments and directing when and how the election will take place. You are certainly correct in disagreeing with Mr. Boyce's reading. The legislative history of the amendment indicates that the reason for the option to not hold an immediate election was to save money by waiting until the next state-wide election.

[Stefano]

James, I couldn't have said it better. The comparison between her and Hilary was flawed from the start, Hilary campaigned, proved she was serious and won over a skeptical New York (and was a pretty good senator at that) Caroline went about this totally the wrong way. First off, invoking her dad's name was so cheap, we all know who you are, tell us why you want to represent us. Taking it to the power brokers in the state reeked of good old Tamany Hall politics. Explain why you don't vote often, explain why after shunning the limelight, now you want in. (Obama stirred many of us, thats nice, but not enough of a reason to leapfrog experienced canidates on name recognition) Go to a speech therapist. I know this may seem degrading, but your interviews were a disaster. I'm 100% sure she is a very intelligent women, but she needs to clean up that speaking style (my high school teachers got rid of my "um" habit). Be involved in NY politics, run in 2010, do it the right way and you very well may be rewarded with the seat. But no one is entilted to anything, and even though that may not be your intention, it sure did seem like that was the plan.

[jsomerville5]

Kennedy doesn't stand a chance in hell next to the articulate, savvy and formidable Kirsten Gillibrand.

[middleoftheroad]

Well said. I think it was that very generational difference that doomed her. She thought she would just slip in there. Amazing that there are people (especially Kennedy who was such a part of the tech savvy Obama campaign) still don't understand the internet news cycle (it's always moving). She had no right even to be considered at this point-it stunk of political payback. And like you said, if she REALLY wants it, she should roll up her sleeves and start now.

[claypigeonb]

Personally, I hope she is serious. But you're right, if she is serious about being elected Senator from New York, she should set up a website and begin building a grassrroots network, particularly upstate, TODAY.